Wayne Simien officially is a member of the Miami Heat.
Simien, a former Kansas University standout who was selected by the Heat as the 29th pick in the June NBA Draft, agreed to terms Friday.
Heat officials did not disclose contract details, but Leigh Steinberg, Simien’s agent, told the Journal-World the contract was worth $4.6 million over four years.
The Miami Herald reported Simien was guaranteed $1.8 million for the first two years. Under the NBA’s new labor agreement, Simien can sign a two-year contract with two one-year options.
Steinberg added that Simien, a Leavenworth High product, planned to set up a scholarship at KU and organize a foundation in Miami.
“He also plans to do something to benefit his high school,” Steinberg said, “but all the plans are not set yet.”
Cracking Miami’s rotation will be difficult. The Heat committed more than $83 million this summer to keep power forward Udonis Haslem and acquire Antoine Walker.
¢ Simien is guaranteed $1.8 million the first two years, with two one-year options
¢ Simien’s agent, Leigh Steinberg, says the deal will be worth $4.6 million over four years
“I came into the situation knowing playing time was something that’s going to have to be competed for,” Simien said. “Now with the addition of a few more guys that play that same position, the stakes will be a little bit higher.”
Alongside Simien in the frontcourt mix are centers Shaquille O’Neal, Michael Doleac and Alonzo Mourning. Simien, Haslem, Walker and newcomer Earl Barron will vie for time at power forward.
The 6-foot-9, 255-pound Simien was voted Big 12 Conference player of the year last season. He finished his career at Kansas as the school’s 12th all-time leading scorer with 1,593 points and seventh all-time leading rebounder with 884 boards.
As a senior, Simien led the Big 12 in scoring and rebounding and was the only player in the league to average a double-double. He was also a consensus first-team All-American.
Heat officials announced Simien would wear jersey No. 25. He wore No. 23 at Kansas.
